Last May 30th, Mr. Maloff passed away due to complications of pneumonia. He is remembereed fondly by us all.
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Karen Edwards-Wertheimer
Yes, we were lucky. He was one hell of a man and a second (and sometimes first) father to many of us. The combo of he and Milt could not be beat. Please send me his address. Thanks,
Karen
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Smilin' Jimmy Swain
Yes, we were lucky to have had him in our lives.
I will always remember him as a very likable person, and at the same time, one of our disciplinarians.
I had a run in with him as a little guy of about 7 years old, living in cottage 11…I escaped one night with and another kid (I think his name was George) to his apt. We were going to hop a train (like hobo's) and trip to Oregon. The manager of the bldg. let us in George's mom's apt. He didn't ask any questions and returned to his apt. Things happened so fast, the next thing I knew we were on are way back to VDM. The next morning, Mr. Maloff gave me a stern talk…and I think a newspaper on my behind. I had great respect for him and was always welcome by his wife, Lisa, at the side door of his VDM apt. for some treats. Of course, there will always be pleasant memories of the outside BBQ's, where he was always visible.
He graciously allowed my wife and I to stay at his lakeside Tahoe hotel..and said we were his guests.
We had dinner at his beautiful Nevada home. The last time we saw Mr. Maloff was at Milt's Farewell at the Century Hotel in 1988.
He looked great and displayed his wit and sense of humor. A very good memory, will be with me, forever.
Jimmy Swain #11 and # 33
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Melinda Stoller
Mr. Maloff, one in a million. When I think of the career options he must have had and he chose to be with us. There is no way whatever they paid him would have been worth it if he had chosen for the money. They couldn't possibly have paid him what he was worth to us. He really wanted to be of service to kids at risk and he was.
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Mitch Lachman
My thoughts of him, and I think all of us, felt of him as a beautiful man.
Good bye, Mitchell
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Lois Slavkin
He was indeed so very special to each of us and, yes, we are lucky to have known him.
Warmly,
Lois
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Nancy Antin
I was told he died of pneumonia on Memorial Day. There was no obit in the paper they didn't want one. She said that (Marti, sec.) they (Bob and Lisa) wanted everything very private and quiet. She said that they were very private people anyway.
So that is all I could get.
Nancy
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Janice Tarr
I am sure we all hold good memories of Bob Maloff in our hearts and we will always.
My condolences to Lisa and family. He was very special and was part of our lives at a most vulnerable time.
Janice
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Billy Margold
Arriving in Oct. 1956, it took me awhile to figure out how to get in enough trouble to be sent to Mr. Malofff...so my memories of him are relatively limited.
Trying hard to picture him, I can vaguely conjure an amalgamated vision of James Stewart and Henry Fonda. And from what the kids who grew up under his gentle gaze told me...he was a remarkably fair man who possessed a serene strength.. God can use such a special person by his side.
As always...take care and care take.
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Judy Alexander
When I came to Vista at age six, I remember Mr. Maloff as a kind, gentle soul who helped me feel safe in a world that felt so precarious. I know he was an important person in so many of our young lives, and I feel blessed to have had him in mine for that short time.
Yes David, living in the moment, a practice so simple, yet not always easy. Thank you for the reminder.
Blessings to you all,
Judy Alexander
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David LaMontre
When I was young, I felt immortal and far from harms way. As mentors such as Milt Davis and Mr. Maloff (as he was known), pass, as even some contemporaries have, along with my parents, everyone doesn't live to be 100, the doorway that always seemed blocked and protected by them, is now seen as far less obstructed and a more open path to my own mortality. While we will all surely miss our mentors and our loved ones, it's time for each to stop and smell the roses so to
speak, and try to live every day as if it's your last.
I probably won't, but you should!
David Le Montre
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Marcia Foster
Dear ones,
I just recently heard about Mr. Maloff's passing. My sister Jan, forwarded the unhappy and distressing news to me. Vince: I thank you in advance for posting the notes and letters on the vdm
notes blogspot. Also, my email address has changed: it is no longer the old verizon email that you have listed for me. It was changed sometime ago to: rmfoster2@frontier.com - I also have another email address as well: marciafoster@ymail.com.
For Mr. Maloff's beautiful wife, Lisa: Please know how terribly sorry and saddened I am to learn of the passing of your beloved husband, Robert. I cannot imagine the grief you are feeling. I was at Vista Del Mar from 1955-1959. I have fond and respectful memories of Mr. Maloff, my heart is aching at this moment for your loss.
During my time at Vista Del Mar, I do not recall having the pleasure of being personally introduced to you. I may have been, but not too sure at the moment. I do remember the home in which you and Mr. Maloff lived in. And it was quite beautiful back in the day. My interactions with your beloved husband were respectful and courtious at best. His punishments (which were rare in my case), were fair and just. And his smile and kindness were never far behind. I was quite fortunate being at Vista Del
Mar during your and your husband's tenure. He was an extraordinary and positive influence during my stay. I will never forget Mr. Maloff. I remember him as being tall, thin, (and more often than not, he looked tan), he was attractive, funny, and fair. He was organized and thoughtful. The "kids" were well taken care of during the summer months where outings to various places were exciting and joyful.
Dear Lisa, once again, please accept my condolences and my heart-felt sympathies on the loss of your beloved husband, Robert. May his transition to the "other side" be peaceful. May God bless all those who loved him,and to those whom he loved. I am so very sorry.
Sincerely and Respectfully,
Marcia Foster (Marsha Wadler - cottage 32)
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Ben Marder
Eileen & I were very saddened by the recent news of Mr. 'Maloff's passing. To the Marder's he wasn't just a friend, assistant director of Vista, and a disciplinarian. Mr. Maloff, was a father figure in the absents of our natural father. Annette adored him. He will be greatly missed by the Marder's and everyone who was blessed to have known him. Please keep us posted.
Ben Marder (cottage 36) 52-59
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How nice that you reached out to him after the last reunion. I never knew Mr. Maloff, but I'm sure it made him happy knowing what sweet, kind and caring adults he helped raise.
Judy Soloski
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Ed Seelig
Very sad news indeed. Because of us, and last reunion at Vista, MR. Maloff became the major topic of the "memories" emails. One person started it as a letter to her son then others shared their thoughts too. He was again a big part of our lives. For me, there were years I didn't even think of him, ,
"MR." Maloff". I will treasure the contact the reunion generated. No words can express how deeply he was a part of my life or the emotions I feel now. I want all of you to know how very glad I am, that I, we, all got a chance to reflect about him and he was able to know it. I did send him all
the copies of the memories emails, he was thrilled. Bob Maloff was a living legend who cared about all us kids. He tried to let at least those who were at the reunion and signed the card, know that directly. Now there both gone, but Milt and Maloff will never be far from my life.
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